Definition

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years and has many benefits. During meditation, you develop intentional focus — minimizing random thoughts about the past or future. Meditation can help with concentration, relaxation, inner peace, stress reduction and fatigue. It may also help relieve anxiety, depression, pain and insomnia. When combined with conventional medicine, meditation may improve physical health, such as heart health, rheumatologic conditions and digestive problems.

There are many forms of meditation, but most have in common a quiet location, a specific comfortable posture and a focus of attention. The method often taught at Mayo Clinic is called paced-breathing meditation, which includes deep breathing.

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